7 Benefits of Kaolin Clay & How to Use it For Skin

Are you looking for a natural ingredient that can serve multiple skincare purposes? Kaolin clay could be your one-stop solution.

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This all-natural ingredient filled with essential minerals, can be used as a cleanser, exfoliator and even mask.

Scroll down to know the benefits kaolin clay offers to make your skin healthy and glowing.

What Is Kaolin Clay?

Kaolin clay[1] is considered to be one of the gentlest facial clays. It has kaolinite, a mineral that consists of layered silicate. While the mineral is found all over the world, it has been mined at the Kao-ling mountain (China) since ages.

Kaolin clay is suitable for almost all types of skin, especially sensitive skin. It mostly comes in white colour, but can also be pink, green or brown. Experts suggest that whiter the colour of Kaolin clay, the better its quality is.

7 Benefits Of Kaolin Clay For Skin

1. Absorbs Extra Oil

Kaolin clay [2] absorbs extra oil from your skin&#;s surface, thereby keeping your pores unclogged. It only controls the excess sebum production on your skin surface and does not affect its natural oil level.

2. Natural Cleanser

Kaolin clay has cleansing properties that can remove dirt and impurities [3] from your skin pores that lead to acne breakouts. It is gentle to use on your skin, and cleans your skin without making it dry and dull.

3. Exfoliator

Kaolin clay is an excellent exfoliator. It can remove even the tiniest quantities of dirt, pollutants and bacteria from your skin, keeping your acne problems at bay.

4. Soothes Your Skin

Kaolin clay has soothing qualities that can calm your irritated skin caused by insect bite or any skin rash. It has mild healing properties that help to soothe any type of irritation and redness on your skin.

5. Evens Out Your Skin Tone

This clay stimulates your skin cells and makes your skin tone even. If you use it regularly, you may see a noticeable change in your skin tone.

6. Natural Shampoo

Apart from skincare, you can also use kaolin clay as a natural shampoo to remove oil, dirt and other pollutants from your scalp. It also boosts the blood circulation to your scalp, resulting in strong hair follicles.

7. Teeth Whitener

The ability of Kaolin clay to draw out impurities, makes it an excellent substitute for whitening toothpaste. It can remove the toxins and gunk from your teeth and make them whiter.

How To Use Kaolin Clay For skin?

Kaolin Clay as a Cleanser:

If you want to use kaolin clay as a cleanser, you can opt for kaolin clay-based OTC products. You can also use its powdered form for your regular cleaning procedure.

How to use

1. Take some warm water into your palm.

2. Mix a pinch of kaolin clay with the water.

3. Rub it on your face gently.

4. Wash it off and pat your face dry

Kaolin Clay as a Mask:

Kaolin clay masks are also available over the counter. But there are a few things you need to keep in mind while applying a mask.

1. Clean your face properly before applying the mask.

2. Keep the brush(applicator) clean before and after applying the mask. This will ensure that no pathogen enters your skin.

3. Apply the mask on your face and neck to get an even toned skin on both.

4. A Kaolin clay mask has to stay on your face for at least 9 minutes.

5. Moisturize your skin after you wash off the mask.

DIY Masks With Kaolin Clay

1. Kaolin Clay & Green tea:

Mix 2 tablespoons of kaolin clay with 2 tablespoons of cooled green tea and aloe vera extract. Add 2 drops of lavender essential oil. Make a paste and apply it as a mask.

2. Kaolin Clay & Avocado Face Mask:

Take 2 tablespoons of kaolin clay and mix it with 3 tablespoons of mashed avocado and rose water. Apply the mixture on the face and leave it for 10 minutes.

3. Kaolin Clay & Honey Mask:

Add 2 tablespoons of kaolin clay with 2 spoons of honey and rose water. Your kaolin-honey face mask would be ready. Use it all over your face with a brush and wash it off once it dries. 

4. Kaolin & Apple Cider Vinega:

Take 1 tablespoon of kaolin clay and mix it with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Add your choice of essential oils and combine the ingredients. Apply it on your face and let it dry. Wash with lukewarm water to clean. 

Can You Use Kaolin Clay Regularly?

Many people believe that all kinds of clay makes your skin dry. But that&#;s a myth. Kaolin clay doesn&#;t dry out your skin. In fact, it has a great ability to maintain the natural pH level of your skin.

So, in case you are looking for a solution for your excessive oily skin and acne issues, you can use kaolin clay regularly. But to keep your skin hydrated, never miss out using moisturizer.

However, if you have dry or normal skin, it is recommended to use Kaolin clay masks only once or twice a week.

Kaolin Clay Vs Bentonite Clay

Kaolin Clay

Bentonite Clay

Kaolin clay is enriched with kaolinite mineral that is ideal for all skin types. Even people with sensitive skin can use it.

Bentonite is also a naturally forming clay found in cosmetics [4]. But it&#;s mostly suitable for people with oily skin.

Kaolin clay doesn&#;t strip away the natural oil from your skin. It only removes the extra sebum oil.

Want more information on washed kaolin? Feel free to contact us.

Bentonite has a reputation for stripping off oil from the skin. This makes it a great choice for people who have an oily skin issue.

Kaolin clay absorbs a very mild amount of water from your skin and keeps it hydrated.

Bentonite&#;s water-absorbing ability is higher than kaolin. It can make your skin dry.

Wrapping Up

Your busy life may not allow much time to look at all the ingredients you use through your skincare products. However, ensure that you avoid harmful ingredients and go for natural ingredients as kaolin clay, which suits all skin types. You can use kaolin clay safely on your skin to brighten your skin tone, exfoliate to deep clean your pores, soothe your irritated skin, and soak excess oil from your skin&#;s surface. Depending on your skin needs, include kaolin clay in your skin care regimen to see the results.

Kaolin clay sprays are an important organic orchard strategy used after petal fall to repel many types of pest insects and protect trees from sunburn and high temperatures. The spray is most commonly used for pears, apples, citrus, and stone fruit.  Kaolin clay repels pests by creating a protective barrier on plant surfaces, making the fruit tree an unsuitable environment for certain insects to land, feed and lay eggs. The tiny clay particles serve to disguise the target fruit and can clog the eyes, ears and reproductive organs of many common pest insects. Research confirms that after the application of kaolin clay, insects spend excessive time grooming to try to remove the residue from their bodies until they finally decide to leave the sprayed area. One of the benefits of the spray is that you are not using a broad spectrum pesticide that will kill the insects, rather, you are just creating a deterrent that causes insects to vacate the sprayed area.

The clay can help prevent damage from insects including apple maggot, plum curculio, codling moth, European apple sawfly, cucumber beetle, oriental fruit moth, tufted apple bud moth, white apple leafhopper, and pear psylla.  

How and when to use Kaolin Clay Spray

It is important to build up a proper covering of clay with multiple applications of the spray on your trees or it will not be effective. It is suggested that you begin spraying at the first petal fall. Continue to re-apply once a week for six to eight weeks throughout the season. A sprayed tree will be coated by a thin white film of clay particles. Repeat applications after any major rain event are also recommended to provide ongoing protection from pests. Note that extra washing may be required at harvest to remove residue from fruit.

Drawbacks

The extremely fine particle size of kaolin clay lets light through and does not significantly affect plant photosynthesis, however there are some other potential drawbacks to using kaolin clay spray. One of the drawbacks is that the spray can also deter beneficial predators, such as mite predators. Without the necessary control to mite populations, you maybe notice a red mite flare up, which would require you to use a oil sprays. In addition, removal of residue from fruit can be time consuming. 

Product Description

Highly refined Kaolin clay products are copyrighted and are referred to as &#;Surround&#;. Pottery grade Kaolin clay will not work like the highly refined kaolin in Surround products. Pottery Grade kaolin clay particles are too large, do not effectively deter insects, and can negatively effect your plant&#;s health.

While Kaolin clay is a natural product, it is still important to protect yourself while spraying. Long sleeves, long pants, and closed toed shoes are recommended. A mask or respirator is also necessary to prevent inhalation of clay particles.

Instructions for using a backpack or handheld sprayer: 

&#;  Mix 1/4 to 1/2 lb (approximately 3 cups) of Surround WP or Surround At Home per one gallon of water. If your sprayer is not easy to shake, premix in a container and pour the mixture into your sprayer

&#;  Add the powder slowly to approximately 1/4 of the water you will be using, stir and mix well by shaking vigorously for 30 seconds.

&#;  Add the remaining water and shake for an additional 30 seconds.

&#;  Shake the sprayer occasionally during application.

&#;  Thoroughly coat all leaf and fruit surfaces until they appear white.

&#;  When finished, spray until the sprayer is empty and flush the system. Leftover mix can be used within 2 weeks to avoid spoilage.

Surround can be purchased in 5lb or 25lb packages. Because the clay will not spoil for many years, you can buy in bulk, save money and use it for multiple years.

Surround at Home (5 lbs) 

Surround WP (25 lbs)

These products are also available at many garden centers and farm supply stores.

Sources/ more information of Kaolin:

ATTRA&#;s Guide to Organic and Low Spray Apple Production

Grow Organic Apples&#; Guide to Kaolin Clay 

Pest Management Case Study: Quiet Creek Farm, Kutztown, PA. Penn State Extension Start Farming Video

Fungicides, Herbicides, and Insecticides

This edition of POP TIPS prepared with help from  POP orchard intern Sophia Taylor and Orchard Assistant Erika D&#;Andrea.

SUPPORT US!  If you found this entry useful, informative, or inspiring, please consider a donation of any size to help POP in planting and supporting community orchards in Philadelphia: phillyorchards.org/donate.  

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